WHAT IS ANNAPURNA BHANDAR?

The Annapurna Bhandar Scheme (also known as Annapurna Yojana) is a major welfare initiative launched by the Government of West Bengal to provide financial security and empower women across the state. Replacing the existing Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, it was approved during the first cabinet meeting of the newly elected government on May 11, 2026, and officially goes live on June 1, 2026.

Under this scheme, eligible women residents will receive a monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 directly transferred to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, applicants must meet the following requirements:Residency: Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal. Gender & Age: Open exclusively to women aged between 25 and 60 years. Exclusions: Women who are permanent government employees (receiving salaries or pensions) or who pay income tax are not eligible for this assistance.

Required Documents

Keep the following standard documents ready before starting your application:Aadhaar Card: Ensure your bank account is seeded with your Aadhaar number.Voter ID Card: For identity and age verification.Residence Proof: Such as a domicile certificate or utility bill. Bank Details: A recent bank account statement or the front page of your bank passbook (the account must be active and Aadhaar-linked). Photographs: Recent passport-size photographs.

Key insight: A mismatch between the bank account number on your passbook and what is registered with Aadhaar is the most common reason for payment failures. Verify your Aadhaar mapping on the NPCI website before applying.

How to Apply

The government provides a 90-day window starting from May 27, 2026, to complete the enrolment process. You can apply either online or offline.

Online Application Process (From June 1, 2026)

1. Visit the Portal: Go to the official Annapurna Yojana portal once it launches on June 1, 2026.
2. Register and Verify:Create an account, select Apply Online, and verify your mobile number using the OTP provided.
3. Complete the Form:Fill out the application with your personal information, permanent address, and basic family details.
4. Upload Documents:Upload clear, scanned copies of your Aadhaar card, Voter ID, bank passbook, and residence proof.
5. Submit and Save Reference:Submit the application and write down the generated reference number to track your approval status later.

Offline Application Process

1. Collect the Form: Visit your nearest block office, municipality office, government camp, or designated service centre to pick up a physical application form (forms are available starting May 27, 2026).
2. Fill and Attach: Carefully fill out the form by hand and attach self-attested photocopies of all required documents.
3. Submit: Hand over the completed form at the designated counter.
4. Acknowledge: Collect and safely keep the acknowledgement slip provided to you.

**Note: MLAs and dedicated teams under Block Development Officers (BDOs) will also be conducting door-to-door campaigns to assist applicants with filling out forms. **

Important Links & Migration Updates
Official Web Portal: The state utilizes the social security portal for welfare schemes: https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login (Ensure you are using the official .gov.in domain, as private informational domains are not affiliated with the government).

Existing Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries: If you are a genuine, active beneficiary under the older scheme, your profile will be automatically migrated to the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme following a database verification exercise. You do not need to apply freshly unless instructed otherwise.